Shelly, if your niece is geeky at all, Linux can now be run in a Chrome window. http://www.tomshardware.com/news/linux-apps-chrome-os-window,28293.html#xtor=RSS-998
This should open up stuff like Skype on a Chromebook.
I loved my Chromebook, but it's been passed on to Xavier (who now is 9 with 3 computers).
**BRENT**